Saturday June 26th was a hot and sweltering day in the Cincinnati region. As the sun started to set, the temperature dropped and the humidity went up. By the time 311 took the stage around 8:50pm, the crowd was dripping with sweat. The temperature of the crowd reached the boiling point once 311 took the stage and delivered their scorching set. As the crowd bounced and danced to the first notes of the evening, you could tell this was going to be one hot show. 311 opened the show up with Jackpot and then into Sick Tight. The band played with an immense amount of energy until 10:45. The night was full of 311 classics as well as new material. We offer a look into the setlist and images from the show.
311 – 6/26/10 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, Ohio
Jackpot, Sick Tight, All Mixed Up, Mix It Up, From Chaos, Taiyed > Welcome, India Ink, Come Original, Applied Science, Life’s Not A Race, Freeze Time, Freak Out, Eons, Plain, Down, Bass Solo, Nutsymtom, Amber, No Control, Beautiful Disaster, Creatures (For a While)
Encore: Omaha Stylee, Feels So Good
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Diversity, dedication 311 trademarks (Chicago Tribune)
They started in Omaha, Neb., 20 years ago, a quintet of teenagers who decided they wanted to start a band. Not just an ordinary rock 'n' roll group, but one that would feature an MC/DJ and incorporate rap and reggae into the mix.
Now, the members of 311, performing Tuesday at Northerly Island, are in their mid-30s, still viable, and thriving.
"A lot of hard work and dedication went into convincing people we are as good as we think we are," laughs P-Nut, the group's bass player. "That's what we've always relied on, so when the media or a record label or anything steps in to help us out, that's just that much better. But nothing can really take us down at this point; we're a good 100,000 obsessive fans deep, they support us endlessly, and we look to satisfy their interest in the band and grow from there."
311 first came into prominence in the early '90s, when the video for the single "Down" was in heavy rotation on MTV. Immediately, fans sensed something different about the group, notably in the way Nick Hexum's vocals were the perfect counterpoint to the hip-hop stylings of SA Martinez. With P-Nut and drummer Chad Sexton versed in everything from funk to rap to rock, and guitarist Tim Mahoney also possessing a diverse repertoire, they seemed to be a rare entity: a band that had a unique approach to popular music.
But not so fast. P-Nut is quick to admit 311 had a varying approach, but it was not something they cooked up in a vacuum.
"We're proud of what we do and we do know we opened some doors for some of the bands," he says. "But there's the generation before us of Fishbone, Urban Dance Squad, 24/7 Spyz and, certainly, the Red Hot Chili Peppers that really did define hybrid music before the term had even been coined. … All of modern music is a mashup of many different things; it's not just one discipline. Country and western was a mish-mash back in the day, and rhythm and blues to the same degree, and rock 'n' roll was a mishmash of those four."
But as more and more contemporary bands experimented with cross-hybrid sounds, the music became diluted. Instead of being artful, a lot of the music started sounding like chemistry experiments gone awry. 311 avoided that fate by paying heed to what worked and what didn't.
"If we were just happy pleasing ourselves, we'd still be playing in the garage," P-Nut says, noting that 311 owes success to its fans.
That's not just a self-serving statement. Every other year on March 11 (3-11), the band holds a special concert in New Orleans that attracts fans from across the country and around the world. On Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, drinks named after 311 songs are poured at clubs and bars. Fans even band together for the 311 Fans Care project to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
"That's hard to not get emotional about, because it's so important to so many people," P-Nut says. "This is just a dream we started in a basement together. … It's just great. We're having the time of our lives."
Now, the members of 311, performing Tuesday at Northerly Island, are in their mid-30s, still viable, and thriving.
"A lot of hard work and dedication went into convincing people we are as good as we think we are," laughs P-Nut, the group's bass player. "That's what we've always relied on, so when the media or a record label or anything steps in to help us out, that's just that much better. But nothing can really take us down at this point; we're a good 100,000 obsessive fans deep, they support us endlessly, and we look to satisfy their interest in the band and grow from there."
311 first came into prominence in the early '90s, when the video for the single "Down" was in heavy rotation on MTV. Immediately, fans sensed something different about the group, notably in the way Nick Hexum's vocals were the perfect counterpoint to the hip-hop stylings of SA Martinez. With P-Nut and drummer Chad Sexton versed in everything from funk to rap to rock, and guitarist Tim Mahoney also possessing a diverse repertoire, they seemed to be a rare entity: a band that had a unique approach to popular music.
But not so fast. P-Nut is quick to admit 311 had a varying approach, but it was not something they cooked up in a vacuum.
"We're proud of what we do and we do know we opened some doors for some of the bands," he says. "But there's the generation before us of Fishbone, Urban Dance Squad, 24/7 Spyz and, certainly, the Red Hot Chili Peppers that really did define hybrid music before the term had even been coined. … All of modern music is a mashup of many different things; it's not just one discipline. Country and western was a mish-mash back in the day, and rhythm and blues to the same degree, and rock 'n' roll was a mishmash of those four."
But as more and more contemporary bands experimented with cross-hybrid sounds, the music became diluted. Instead of being artful, a lot of the music started sounding like chemistry experiments gone awry. 311 avoided that fate by paying heed to what worked and what didn't.
"If we were just happy pleasing ourselves, we'd still be playing in the garage," P-Nut says, noting that 311 owes success to its fans.
That's not just a self-serving statement. Every other year on March 11 (3-11), the band holds a special concert in New Orleans that attracts fans from across the country and around the world. On Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, drinks named after 311 songs are poured at clubs and bars. Fans even band together for the 311 Fans Care project to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
"That's hard to not get emotional about, because it's so important to so many people," P-Nut says. "This is just a dream we started in a basement together. … It's just great. We're having the time of our lives."
311 keeps on ticking with Cleveland gig (Canton Rep)
When he officially joined up with 311 back in 1992, vocalist S.A. Martinez never imagined he still would be at it 18 years later. At the time, the band was touring around in an old RV borrowed from one of the guy’s dads.
“We had no idea how far this would take us. I don’t think anyone saw further ahead than six months,” Martinez said via telephone from Pittsburgh on Tuesday. “We have a lot of history. We’ve had a lot of good fortune along the way.”
Things definitely picked up after 311 moved from its native Omaha to Los Angeles and got signed to Capricorn Records. In 1995, the hits started coming: “Down,” “All Mixed Up,” “Amber,” “Come Original,” “Creatures (For Awhile),” “Don’t Tread On Me” and a version of The Cure’s “Love Song.”
Happily for fans and band members alike, 311, whose sound blends rock, rap. punk, ska, metal and reggae, never stopped recording or touring. “Uplifter,” the band’s ninth studio album, was released last June and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200, 311’s highest chart position to date. The band just launched its Unity tour, which will arrive Wednesday at Cleveland’s Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre.
Q. You guys just keep coming around, always playing large venues. You must have a loyal fan base.
A. We’re extremely lucky and fortunate. We’ve basically been doing shed (outdoor venue) tours every summer for the past 13 years. We keep going out and they keep coming. We’re blessed in that regard. We have a great live show and our band really connects with the crowd. A lot of our fans have grown up with us.
Q. Is the crazy touring tougher to pull off as you get older?
A. For our age, we rock it out! But yes, the number of shows we do back to back without a day off has dwindled. Back in the day, we could do six or seven in a row, no problem. Now three is the max. More days are peppered in there. More naps. (Laughs)
Q. Have you played everywhere by now?
A. We just played Alaska, the last state of the union we hadn’t played before. And we played this past spring in Guam and Jakarta. We went back to Japan. It’s been a dream come true, and it continues to unfold.
Q. What’s it like doing the summer shows?
A. Nothing beats playing outdoors in the summertime. It’s the best time of the year and we get the best reception. People have been cooped up all winter. Definitely a party atmosphere.
Q. What kind of people are coming to 311 shows these days?
A. We have generations now! We have the older crowd that’s been with us, and a lot of young kids that are just getting turned on to us. It’s really interesting and unique to see that happening. We don’t know the trends. We are sort of an anomaly in the business. We’re not crazy mainstream, we’ve got a somewhat underground mystique about us.
Q. I just read about your annual 311 Day (March 11) shows. Tell me about this year’s.
A. This year we had it in Las Vegas. We did close to five hours total of a show, three sets with this mini reggae-dub set in the middle. We had people there from all 50 states and 12 countries around the world. Our fans take over, and the show is really the icing on the cake.
“We had no idea how far this would take us. I don’t think anyone saw further ahead than six months,” Martinez said via telephone from Pittsburgh on Tuesday. “We have a lot of history. We’ve had a lot of good fortune along the way.”
Things definitely picked up after 311 moved from its native Omaha to Los Angeles and got signed to Capricorn Records. In 1995, the hits started coming: “Down,” “All Mixed Up,” “Amber,” “Come Original,” “Creatures (For Awhile),” “Don’t Tread On Me” and a version of The Cure’s “Love Song.”
Happily for fans and band members alike, 311, whose sound blends rock, rap. punk, ska, metal and reggae, never stopped recording or touring. “Uplifter,” the band’s ninth studio album, was released last June and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200, 311’s highest chart position to date. The band just launched its Unity tour, which will arrive Wednesday at Cleveland’s Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre.
Q. You guys just keep coming around, always playing large venues. You must have a loyal fan base.
A. We’re extremely lucky and fortunate. We’ve basically been doing shed (outdoor venue) tours every summer for the past 13 years. We keep going out and they keep coming. We’re blessed in that regard. We have a great live show and our band really connects with the crowd. A lot of our fans have grown up with us.
Q. Is the crazy touring tougher to pull off as you get older?
A. For our age, we rock it out! But yes, the number of shows we do back to back without a day off has dwindled. Back in the day, we could do six or seven in a row, no problem. Now three is the max. More days are peppered in there. More naps. (Laughs)
Q. Have you played everywhere by now?
A. We just played Alaska, the last state of the union we hadn’t played before. And we played this past spring in Guam and Jakarta. We went back to Japan. It’s been a dream come true, and it continues to unfold.
Q. What’s it like doing the summer shows?
A. Nothing beats playing outdoors in the summertime. It’s the best time of the year and we get the best reception. People have been cooped up all winter. Definitely a party atmosphere.
Q. What kind of people are coming to 311 shows these days?
A. We have generations now! We have the older crowd that’s been with us, and a lot of young kids that are just getting turned on to us. It’s really interesting and unique to see that happening. We don’t know the trends. We are sort of an anomaly in the business. We’re not crazy mainstream, we’ve got a somewhat underground mystique about us.
Q. I just read about your annual 311 Day (March 11) shows. Tell me about this year’s.
A. This year we had it in Las Vegas. We did close to five hours total of a show, three sets with this mini reggae-dub set in the middle. We had people there from all 50 states and 12 countries around the world. Our fans take over, and the show is really the icing on the cake.
Interview: 311 (Metromix Indianapolis)
Nick Hexum, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for 311, is 40 years old. He’s been a rock star for half his life. He wants to be a rock star for the rest of it.
He’s packing his bags for what seems like the band’s millionth tour — clothes, iPad, portable recording equipment for the bus in case he wants to bust out a few demos, cinnamon-flavored Crest. The band is flying to Alaska for two dates, in Fairbanks and Anchorage, before hitting the road within days of their 20th anniversary.
“We’ve never been up there before,” he says. “But this will complete the 50 states. We will have been to all 50.”
Fifty states in 20 years — it’s hard not to get nostalgic.
On June 10, 1990, the band took the stage for the first time. Their name, The Fish Hippos, was a problem. Hexum had just barely convinced the dudes he’d been jamming with, in their hometown of Omaha, that using that name while opening for legendary post-punk act Fugazi would be bad for business.
In hindsight, that seems like a wise decision — it’s hard to imagine a band called The Fish Hippos celebrating anything, much less 20 years as one of rock’s most innovative acts. Just six years later, under their new name, they were cool enough to be invited to the same party as The Clash’s Joe Strummer, who showed up carrying a boom box with a 311 sticker on it (“That pretty much validated my entire life right there,” Hexum says).
Still, they were so young back then and — Hexum laughs — still so ignorant of the way things worked that they were offering forties to Ian MacKaye backstage.
Things have changed. Hexum now knows that Ian MacKaye is the king of straight edge. He knows how things work and he knows that they’re broken. Like other rock veterans, he’s just trying to keep his head down, pack his bags, and ride out of the revolution.
“It’s a really tough time in the music business right now, there’s so much confusion now about how to make it work in the era of piracy,” he says. “There are a lot of people that are scared and it’s pretty hard to get a record deal. Even now, this summer, a lot of tours are tanking. The music business is …on its last leg right now.”
Hexum says he first noticed the limp in 1999, after the release of 311’s fifth studio album, “Sound System.”
“It was right around that time and (“Sound System”) was available online as a pirated download,” Hexum says. “I remember our manager trying in vain to shut it down and posting on message boards, ‘Don’t do that.’ But they just banished him from the file-trading site. It was a sense of, ‘Wow, there’s nothing you can do about that.’”
Except, of course, try to adapt.
“The industry will take a new form but I’ll look different, whether that’s through subscription service or direct relations between bands with fans,” he says. “People are trying to find out what’s next. I’m just grateful we’ve got a great touring business.”
He’s packing his bags for what seems like the band’s millionth tour — clothes, iPad, portable recording equipment for the bus in case he wants to bust out a few demos, cinnamon-flavored Crest. The band is flying to Alaska for two dates, in Fairbanks and Anchorage, before hitting the road within days of their 20th anniversary.
“We’ve never been up there before,” he says. “But this will complete the 50 states. We will have been to all 50.”
Fifty states in 20 years — it’s hard not to get nostalgic.
On June 10, 1990, the band took the stage for the first time. Their name, The Fish Hippos, was a problem. Hexum had just barely convinced the dudes he’d been jamming with, in their hometown of Omaha, that using that name while opening for legendary post-punk act Fugazi would be bad for business.
In hindsight, that seems like a wise decision — it’s hard to imagine a band called The Fish Hippos celebrating anything, much less 20 years as one of rock’s most innovative acts. Just six years later, under their new name, they were cool enough to be invited to the same party as The Clash’s Joe Strummer, who showed up carrying a boom box with a 311 sticker on it (“That pretty much validated my entire life right there,” Hexum says).
Still, they were so young back then and — Hexum laughs — still so ignorant of the way things worked that they were offering forties to Ian MacKaye backstage.
Things have changed. Hexum now knows that Ian MacKaye is the king of straight edge. He knows how things work and he knows that they’re broken. Like other rock veterans, he’s just trying to keep his head down, pack his bags, and ride out of the revolution.
“It’s a really tough time in the music business right now, there’s so much confusion now about how to make it work in the era of piracy,” he says. “There are a lot of people that are scared and it’s pretty hard to get a record deal. Even now, this summer, a lot of tours are tanking. The music business is …on its last leg right now.”
Hexum says he first noticed the limp in 1999, after the release of 311’s fifth studio album, “Sound System.”
“It was right around that time and (“Sound System”) was available online as a pirated download,” Hexum says. “I remember our manager trying in vain to shut it down and posting on message boards, ‘Don’t do that.’ But they just banished him from the file-trading site. It was a sense of, ‘Wow, there’s nothing you can do about that.’”
Except, of course, try to adapt.
“The industry will take a new form but I’ll look different, whether that’s through subscription service or direct relations between bands with fans,” he says. “People are trying to find out what’s next. I’m just grateful we’ve got a great touring business.”
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
311 is still loving what they do (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW)
They started in Omaha 20 years ago, a quintet of teenagers who decided they wanted to start a band. Not just an ordinary rock 'n' roll group, but one that would feature an MC/DJ and incorporate rap and reggae into the mix.
Now, the members of 311, performing Tuesday at the Trib Total Media Amphitheatre, Station Square, are in their mid-30s, still viable, and thriving.
"A lot of hard work and dedication went into convincing people we are as good as we think we are," laughs P-Nut, the group's bass player. "That's what we've always relied on, so when the media or a record label or anything steps in to help us out, that's just that much better. But nothing can really take us down at this point; we're a good 100,000 obsessive fans deep, they support us endlessly, and we look to satisfy their interest in the band and grow from there."
311 first came into prominence in the early '90s, when the video for the single "Down" was in heavy rotation on MTV. Immediately, fans sensed something different about the group, notably in the way Nick Hexum's vocals were the perfect counterpoint to the hip-hop stylings of SA Martinez. With P-Nut and drummer Chad Sexton versed in everything from funk to rap to rock, and guitarist Tim Mahoney also possessing a diverse repertoire, they seemed to be a rare entity: a band that had a unique approach to popular music.
But not so fast. P-Nut is quick to admit 311 had a varying approach, but it was not something they cooked up in a vacuum.
"We're proud of what we do and we do know we opened some doors for some of the bands," he says. "But there's the generation before us of Fishbone, Urban Dance Squad, 24/7 Spyz and, certainly, the Red Hot Chili Peppers that really did define hybrid music before the term had even been coined. ... All of modern music is a mashup of many different things; it's not just one discipline. Country and western was a mish-mash back in the day, and rhythm and blues to the same degree, and rock 'n' roll was a mish-mash of those four."
But as more and more contemporary bands experimented with cross-hybrid sounds, the music became diluted. Instead of being artful, a lot of the music started sounding like chemistry experiments gone awry.
311 avoided that fate by paying heed to what worked and what didn't.
"If we were just happy pleasing ourselves, we'd still be playing in the garage," P-Nut says, noting that 311 owes everything to its fans.
That's not just a self-serving statement. Every other year on March 11 (3-11), the band holds a special concert in New Orleans that attracts fans from across the country and around the world. On Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, drinks named after 311 songs are poured at clubs and bars. Fans even band together for the 311 Fans Care project to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
"That's hard to not get emotional about, because it's so important to so many people," P-Nut says. "This is just a dream we started in a basement together ... It's just great. We're having the time of our lives."
Now, the members of 311, performing Tuesday at the Trib Total Media Amphitheatre, Station Square, are in their mid-30s, still viable, and thriving.
"A lot of hard work and dedication went into convincing people we are as good as we think we are," laughs P-Nut, the group's bass player. "That's what we've always relied on, so when the media or a record label or anything steps in to help us out, that's just that much better. But nothing can really take us down at this point; we're a good 100,000 obsessive fans deep, they support us endlessly, and we look to satisfy their interest in the band and grow from there."
311 first came into prominence in the early '90s, when the video for the single "Down" was in heavy rotation on MTV. Immediately, fans sensed something different about the group, notably in the way Nick Hexum's vocals were the perfect counterpoint to the hip-hop stylings of SA Martinez. With P-Nut and drummer Chad Sexton versed in everything from funk to rap to rock, and guitarist Tim Mahoney also possessing a diverse repertoire, they seemed to be a rare entity: a band that had a unique approach to popular music.
But not so fast. P-Nut is quick to admit 311 had a varying approach, but it was not something they cooked up in a vacuum.
"We're proud of what we do and we do know we opened some doors for some of the bands," he says. "But there's the generation before us of Fishbone, Urban Dance Squad, 24/7 Spyz and, certainly, the Red Hot Chili Peppers that really did define hybrid music before the term had even been coined. ... All of modern music is a mashup of many different things; it's not just one discipline. Country and western was a mish-mash back in the day, and rhythm and blues to the same degree, and rock 'n' roll was a mish-mash of those four."
But as more and more contemporary bands experimented with cross-hybrid sounds, the music became diluted. Instead of being artful, a lot of the music started sounding like chemistry experiments gone awry.
311 avoided that fate by paying heed to what worked and what didn't.
"If we were just happy pleasing ourselves, we'd still be playing in the garage," P-Nut says, noting that 311 owes everything to its fans.
That's not just a self-serving statement. Every other year on March 11 (3-11), the band holds a special concert in New Orleans that attracts fans from across the country and around the world. On Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, drinks named after 311 songs are poured at clubs and bars. Fans even band together for the 311 Fans Care project to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
"That's hard to not get emotional about, because it's so important to so many people," P-Nut says. "This is just a dream we started in a basement together ... It's just great. We're having the time of our lives."
Reconsidering 311 - Why Their Unity Tour Matters (Setimentalist Mag)
Although it seems like just yesterday that “Down” and “All Mixed Up” were blowing up modern-rock radio, 311 (improbably) celebrated their 20th birthday on June 10th of this year. Back in 1990, 311 played their first show under that moniker, opening for Fugazi at the Ranch Bowl in their hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. 10 albums and three DVDs later, 311 is preparing to kick off their ninth summer tour, dubbed the “Unity Tour,” on June 29th in Chicago with the Offspring (another band who achieved mainstream success on alt-rock radio in the ‘90s) and Hawaii’s Pepper in tow.
I first saw 311 in June 1996 when they were part of the H.O.A.R.D.E. tour, and sharing the bill with artists like Lenny Kravitz and Blues Traveler. In ’96 there wasn’t anything like 311 on the radio, which led to an unfair typecasting of the quintet in the now-dreaded rap-rock genre, grouped in with overly agro-leaning bands such as Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Linkin Park. To diehard fans (and they are legion) this has long been an unfair comparison. Let Linkin Park and their brethren have their flying bullets and bulging neck veins; the magic of 311 successfully combines a lofty of hybrid rap, rock, punk, dance hall, reggae, funk and ska with lyrics based in celebrating positivity, honoring unity across all barriers, and promoting good times. Seems to me like this is the perfect recipe for pop-rock radio in a down-tempo economy.
As a longtime 311 fan, I’m disappointed in the state of the industry today. The radio airwaves are clogged, as always, with the same six songs played in heavy rotation. No disrespect to Drake, Paramore, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, but as a former touring musician, I know that the playlists are ruled by the latest acts the record labels want to push and that it’s all about business (see iTunes). And while I have no desire to start a referendum on popular artists and various tastes and tastemakers alike, 311’s own hybrid theory still matters, even if alt-rock radio has long since moved on, and on the eve of a major tour, the lack of decent exposure in the necessary markets can be deadly to ticket sales.
The Unity Tour is a little over two weeks away from its kick off here in Chicago. What’s interesting about that is that in the last 24 hours the local alternative radio station, Q101, played one 311 song, “Down,” and one song by the Offspring, “Come Out and Play (Keep ‘Em Separated),” while playing a handful of cuts from other popular, difficult-to-label ‘90s bands: five from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, six by Rage Against the Machine, five by the Smashing Pumpkins (well, this isn’t surprising, it is Chicago) and four by Tool. That tally of plays doesn’t count the fact that “Here We Are Juggernaut,” the new single from Coheed and Cambria, was spun six times in the last 24 hours as well. The latter is a little more acceptable because it is the latest single of theirs, Columbia Records is pushing [it] and Year of the Black Rainbow pretty hard, and they are a tremendously successful touring act. But given how close 311 and the Offspring are to the kick off of a huge summer tour, I figured we would hear more than one track from the headliners. Again, given the business of selling tickets you’d think playing more of the acts coming to town would be good (quid pro quo) business but, hey, c’est la vie.
The fact of the matter is that most 311 fans don’t care, and other than those of us who still pay attention to terrestrial radio, the fans aren’t cynical about airplay beyond a passing curiosity. We love the music, the message and the vibe and we really don’t care if they get play or not. 311 have had three blockbuster #1 singles over the years: “Down,” “Love Song” and “Don’t Tread on Me.” They have sold over eight million units over their 20-year career and even had six albums break the top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 sales charts. But again, I don’t think 311 fans really care about hard numbers either. #1 singles and platinum albums aren’t important to 311 fans, going to the shows, watching the DVDs and maybe getting the chance to go to a 311 day festival are what’s important to us. Well, that, and seeing our favorite Nebraskan quintet get the respect and exposure they rightfully deserve. I’m sure fans of the Zac Brown Band might agree with me there. Hello, Bonnaroo!
To wit, on March 11th (3/11), the 311 day show was held in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. The boys played five sets, some 60 songs, for over 12,000 fans. The annual event is usually held in New Orleans where March 11th is officially recognized by the State ofLouisiana as “311 Day.” Their fan page on MySpace has over 340,000 fans while their Facebook page has over 365,000. The official 311 page (311.com) even features over 500 pictures of fans tattoos! There is a kindred spirit among devout 311 fans, and by devout, I mean those that know there were two albums before “Down” came out, that know what “the hive” is and who can tell you what singer Nick Hexum says at the end of every show. (But to get factual, 1993’s Music and 1994’s Grassroots preceded the self-titled 311 (1995) that had their first #1 single, “Down.” The Hive is the name of their fan club as well as their studio, and Hexum closes every show with “Be positive and love your life.”)
Long story short, 311 fans are a special breed. We are more like roving Deadheads than your normal rock fans, even if normal, by current trends, equates to rainbow-painted MGMT fans and screaming Vampire Weekend bandwagoneers. We value and observe the experience as a community (much like U2 fans do). Fans will brag about how many shows they’ve been to, what rarely played songs they’ve gotten to hear live like “Visit” or “8:16am,” they’ll show off their 311 tats and exchange stories of which band members they’ve met and how cool they were to chat with. The crowds are purposefully very mellow and if a pit breaks out, fans help each other up and look out for each other’s safety. (Right Mastodon and EyeHateGod fans?) We won’t complain about a lack of radio play because chances are the radio won’t play anything good anyway; just another spin of “All Mixed Up,” and not the superior “Beautiful Disaster” or their latest single “Hey You.” We don’t care if the show ends early because of noise curfews, like the last show in Chicago in 2009, when seven songs were cut from the set list so as to comply with the local noise laws, no thanks to the Kottonmouth Kings.
This summer, the boys aren’t going to let us down. Set against the backdrop of one of the greatest city skylines in the world, the Unity Tour 2010 will take flight in Chicago. I’ll be in the front row (hopefully) proudly wearing my 311-themed Cubs jersey, screaming every word to every song, staying positive and loving my life.
Seems like the perfect atmosphere to get lost in, doesn’t it? So, where are you, radio radio?
I first saw 311 in June 1996 when they were part of the H.O.A.R.D.E. tour, and sharing the bill with artists like Lenny Kravitz and Blues Traveler. In ’96 there wasn’t anything like 311 on the radio, which led to an unfair typecasting of the quintet in the now-dreaded rap-rock genre, grouped in with overly agro-leaning bands such as Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Linkin Park. To diehard fans (and they are legion) this has long been an unfair comparison. Let Linkin Park and their brethren have their flying bullets and bulging neck veins; the magic of 311 successfully combines a lofty of hybrid rap, rock, punk, dance hall, reggae, funk and ska with lyrics based in celebrating positivity, honoring unity across all barriers, and promoting good times. Seems to me like this is the perfect recipe for pop-rock radio in a down-tempo economy.
As a longtime 311 fan, I’m disappointed in the state of the industry today. The radio airwaves are clogged, as always, with the same six songs played in heavy rotation. No disrespect to Drake, Paramore, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, but as a former touring musician, I know that the playlists are ruled by the latest acts the record labels want to push and that it’s all about business (see iTunes). And while I have no desire to start a referendum on popular artists and various tastes and tastemakers alike, 311’s own hybrid theory still matters, even if alt-rock radio has long since moved on, and on the eve of a major tour, the lack of decent exposure in the necessary markets can be deadly to ticket sales.
The Unity Tour is a little over two weeks away from its kick off here in Chicago. What’s interesting about that is that in the last 24 hours the local alternative radio station, Q101, played one 311 song, “Down,” and one song by the Offspring, “Come Out and Play (Keep ‘Em Separated),” while playing a handful of cuts from other popular, difficult-to-label ‘90s bands: five from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, six by Rage Against the Machine, five by the Smashing Pumpkins (well, this isn’t surprising, it is Chicago) and four by Tool. That tally of plays doesn’t count the fact that “Here We Are Juggernaut,” the new single from Coheed and Cambria, was spun six times in the last 24 hours as well. The latter is a little more acceptable because it is the latest single of theirs, Columbia Records is pushing [it] and Year of the Black Rainbow pretty hard, and they are a tremendously successful touring act. But given how close 311 and the Offspring are to the kick off of a huge summer tour, I figured we would hear more than one track from the headliners. Again, given the business of selling tickets you’d think playing more of the acts coming to town would be good (quid pro quo) business but, hey, c’est la vie.
The fact of the matter is that most 311 fans don’t care, and other than those of us who still pay attention to terrestrial radio, the fans aren’t cynical about airplay beyond a passing curiosity. We love the music, the message and the vibe and we really don’t care if they get play or not. 311 have had three blockbuster #1 singles over the years: “Down,” “Love Song” and “Don’t Tread on Me.” They have sold over eight million units over their 20-year career and even had six albums break the top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 sales charts. But again, I don’t think 311 fans really care about hard numbers either. #1 singles and platinum albums aren’t important to 311 fans, going to the shows, watching the DVDs and maybe getting the chance to go to a 311 day festival are what’s important to us. Well, that, and seeing our favorite Nebraskan quintet get the respect and exposure they rightfully deserve. I’m sure fans of the Zac Brown Band might agree with me there. Hello, Bonnaroo!
To wit, on March 11th (3/11), the 311 day show was held in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. The boys played five sets, some 60 songs, for over 12,000 fans. The annual event is usually held in New Orleans where March 11th is officially recognized by the State ofLouisiana as “311 Day.” Their fan page on MySpace has over 340,000 fans while their Facebook page has over 365,000. The official 311 page (311.com) even features over 500 pictures of fans tattoos! There is a kindred spirit among devout 311 fans, and by devout, I mean those that know there were two albums before “Down” came out, that know what “the hive” is and who can tell you what singer Nick Hexum says at the end of every show. (But to get factual, 1993’s Music and 1994’s Grassroots preceded the self-titled 311 (1995) that had their first #1 single, “Down.” The Hive is the name of their fan club as well as their studio, and Hexum closes every show with “Be positive and love your life.”)
Long story short, 311 fans are a special breed. We are more like roving Deadheads than your normal rock fans, even if normal, by current trends, equates to rainbow-painted MGMT fans and screaming Vampire Weekend bandwagoneers. We value and observe the experience as a community (much like U2 fans do). Fans will brag about how many shows they’ve been to, what rarely played songs they’ve gotten to hear live like “Visit” or “8:16am,” they’ll show off their 311 tats and exchange stories of which band members they’ve met and how cool they were to chat with. The crowds are purposefully very mellow and if a pit breaks out, fans help each other up and look out for each other’s safety. (Right Mastodon and EyeHateGod fans?) We won’t complain about a lack of radio play because chances are the radio won’t play anything good anyway; just another spin of “All Mixed Up,” and not the superior “Beautiful Disaster” or their latest single “Hey You.” We don’t care if the show ends early because of noise curfews, like the last show in Chicago in 2009, when seven songs were cut from the set list so as to comply with the local noise laws, no thanks to the Kottonmouth Kings.
This summer, the boys aren’t going to let us down. Set against the backdrop of one of the greatest city skylines in the world, the Unity Tour 2010 will take flight in Chicago. I’ll be in the front row (hopefully) proudly wearing my 311-themed Cubs jersey, screaming every word to every song, staying positive and loving my life.
Seems like the perfect atmosphere to get lost in, doesn’t it? So, where are you, radio radio?
311 discusses Surfing America Summer Surf Jam (Surfer Mag)
Summer means different things to different people. Long flat spells for East Coasters, prospective south swells for Californians, and plenty of free time for school kids. It also means a lot of great live music acts hop on buses and tour the nation, and every so often the surf and music worlds collide. The Surfing America Summer Surf Jam at Irvine’s Verizon Wirelesss Amphitheatre happens to be one of those events. With much of the proceeds benefiting the PacSun Surfing America USA Surf Team, we caught up with the Nick Hexum, lead singer of the Tour’s headlining act, 311, to get the inside scoop.
So how’d you guys get involved in Surfing America Summer Surf Jam?
We’ve just always been tied into a lot of modern sports and alliances with skating and other action sports. I particularly have been connected with the ocean for a long time so it seemed like a perfect fit.
How does it benefit Surfing America and Team USA?
We’re raising funds to promote youth surfing and the USA Surf Team. That’s such an important thing. Surfing is a type of thing that is such a positive and constructive use of energy that kids can have fun and be in the cool crowd without being into destructive things. I personally have a baby on the way, and I would encourage my kids to get into surfing. But it’s a spiritual thing, too. The water makes me feel like part of something bigger than myself…honestly more people should learn to love surfing.
So 311 grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, right? I’d imagine there’s not much surfing going on there.
No there isn’t, but I was fortunate enough to take summer trips every year to Hawaii and California and the Caribbean ,so I grew up visiting the ocean a couple times a year and learning that way. Also, we’ve been in L.A. for about 20 years so we’ve had a chance to be around surf culture and get in the water fairly often, but not as much as I’d like.
So where would you say you learned to surf?
The place I learned was the jetty off of Venice with some skater friends of mine.
So did you guys grow up skating in Omaha?
Part of the punk rock experience was skating, and it was a perfect fit with our kind of music – doing things your own way. We’ve always been into doing things our own way.
I saw that one of your videos was directed by the Malloys at Crystal Cove. Do you spend much time with them?
Well, we haven’t done any shows with Jack Johnson for a while, but I think they did a kick ass job on that Amber video. We wanted to capture that California Surf vibe in it, and I have a lot of respect for them and the things they’ve done.
How’d you choose the acts for the Unity Tour with Ziggy Marley and The Expendables?
Our band is all about unity and people who have a more positive outlook in their music. The Unity Tour is about bringing all kinds of different people together. We pick bands that go along with that. We’ve had some great hip-hop like The Roots and Snoop Dog. Snoop talked about that a lot when he was on with us and Matisyahu and Ziggy… reggae tends to promote these positive vibes, and that we’re going for…
How has the Unity Tour gone thus far?
It’s been good. It’s flown by, and we have three shows left and has been an amazing way to spend the summer. I just feel lucky to do this every year; we started this with a band called OAR in 2003.
What’s your favorite song to play live?
I think what sets 311 apart is that we have high energy to our shows so the rocking songs like “Down” and “Beautiful Disaster” are really fun, but then there’s also “Amber” and others. I just love getting up there and letting off some steam.
If you have to choose one venue and two bands to play with for your final show, where do you play and with whom?
Our 311 Day show in New Orleans is an incredible thing to be a part of. People come from all over the world to enjoy our music. Honestly we don’t have openers and all the hardcore fans from all over the world are there, so I’d say that’s my favorite show.
Are there any more philanthropic events benefiting surfers on 311′s agenda?
I don’t know if we have anything planned right now, but I think the spirituality of surfing really fits with us, and we’ve had a long relationship with that community so there will be more stuff in the future.
So how’d you guys get involved in Surfing America Summer Surf Jam?
We’ve just always been tied into a lot of modern sports and alliances with skating and other action sports. I particularly have been connected with the ocean for a long time so it seemed like a perfect fit.
How does it benefit Surfing America and Team USA?
We’re raising funds to promote youth surfing and the USA Surf Team. That’s such an important thing. Surfing is a type of thing that is such a positive and constructive use of energy that kids can have fun and be in the cool crowd without being into destructive things. I personally have a baby on the way, and I would encourage my kids to get into surfing. But it’s a spiritual thing, too. The water makes me feel like part of something bigger than myself…honestly more people should learn to love surfing.
So 311 grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, right? I’d imagine there’s not much surfing going on there.
No there isn’t, but I was fortunate enough to take summer trips every year to Hawaii and California and the Caribbean ,so I grew up visiting the ocean a couple times a year and learning that way. Also, we’ve been in L.A. for about 20 years so we’ve had a chance to be around surf culture and get in the water fairly often, but not as much as I’d like.
So where would you say you learned to surf?
The place I learned was the jetty off of Venice with some skater friends of mine.
So did you guys grow up skating in Omaha?
Part of the punk rock experience was skating, and it was a perfect fit with our kind of music – doing things your own way. We’ve always been into doing things our own way.
I saw that one of your videos was directed by the Malloys at Crystal Cove. Do you spend much time with them?
Well, we haven’t done any shows with Jack Johnson for a while, but I think they did a kick ass job on that Amber video. We wanted to capture that California Surf vibe in it, and I have a lot of respect for them and the things they’ve done.
How’d you choose the acts for the Unity Tour with Ziggy Marley and The Expendables?
Our band is all about unity and people who have a more positive outlook in their music. The Unity Tour is about bringing all kinds of different people together. We pick bands that go along with that. We’ve had some great hip-hop like The Roots and Snoop Dog. Snoop talked about that a lot when he was on with us and Matisyahu and Ziggy… reggae tends to promote these positive vibes, and that we’re going for…
How has the Unity Tour gone thus far?
It’s been good. It’s flown by, and we have three shows left and has been an amazing way to spend the summer. I just feel lucky to do this every year; we started this with a band called OAR in 2003.
What’s your favorite song to play live?
I think what sets 311 apart is that we have high energy to our shows so the rocking songs like “Down” and “Beautiful Disaster” are really fun, but then there’s also “Amber” and others. I just love getting up there and letting off some steam.
If you have to choose one venue and two bands to play with for your final show, where do you play and with whom?
Our 311 Day show in New Orleans is an incredible thing to be a part of. People come from all over the world to enjoy our music. Honestly we don’t have openers and all the hardcore fans from all over the world are there, so I’d say that’s my favorite show.
Are there any more philanthropic events benefiting surfers on 311′s agenda?
I don’t know if we have anything planned right now, but I think the spirituality of surfing really fits with us, and we’ve had a long relationship with that community so there will be more stuff in the future.
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